The Lookbook: Johnny Hodges

circa 1945: EXCLUSIVE American jazz saxophonist Johnny Hodges (1907-1970) leans back in a chair with a saxophone resting next to him. Hodges wears a suit and a felt hat. Other members of the band are seated in the background. (Photo by Metronome/Getty Images)

(Metronome/Getty Images)

One of the greatest saxophonists in jazz history, Johnny Hodges earned notoriety for his work with Duke Ellington’s band—particularly for his solos. Hodges broke away from Ellington in 1951 to form his own group—in part, with a young John Coltrane who took Hodges’ style and expanded on it. Just as his music was something to emulate, so was his style. Hodges blended loose suits with a Bohemian flair that took his look far past the realms of sprezzatura, to the point where it stood on its own. Think of him as a jazz era Johnny Depp, but more sartorial. Take a look at the contemporary version of Hodges’ outfit from the photograph above, articulated below.